Founding director selected for Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy at Loyola University New Orleans

(New Orleans)—Loyola University New Orleans Provost David Danahar announced the selection of Mary Ann C. Corley as the founding director of the Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy. The center is located in Loyola’s new state-of-the-art J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library.

The Lindy Boggs National Center for Community Literacy is dedicated to the enhancement of literacy and the continuous process of improvement through lifelong learning and the pursuit of educational excellence. The center will nourish the collaboration and partnership between Loyola and the community-at-large with a special focus on the literacy needs of public housing residents.

Corley, who begins her position on March 31, 1999, is currently director of the National Adult Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center at the Academy for Educational Development in Washington, D.C. She brings more than 30 years of experience and expertise in adult education development, promotion, research, and fund-raising as well as staff development and training to the job. Additionally, she is a leading voice on improving the delivery of educational services to adults with learning disabilities.

As director of the Literacy Center, Corley will be responsible for identifying, mobilizing and sustaining literacy provider networks, developing community partnerships, administering legislative advocacy efforts, developing and disseminating technology-based literacy resources and courses, organizing conferences on literacy, and recruiting student, faculty and community members for participation in literacy enhancing projects.

"In addition to her three decades of working to enhance literacy, Dr. Corley also brings with her the necessary level of energy and creativity as well as an impressive record of forging together all facets of the community," affirmed Danahar.

Prior to becoming director of the National Adult Literacy and Learning Disabilities Center, Corley was the state administrator of the GED (general equivalency diploma) Testing Program for the state of Maryland for eight years. She was responsible for all aspects of the program that administered the GED exam to 15,000 adults yearly.

Also, she served as adult education supervisor for the Baltimore County Public Schools. Under Corley’s tutelage, the program received the U.S. Secretary of Education’s national award for "Outstanding Adult Basic Education Program."

"With the establishment of the 1991 National Literacy Act, the government underscored the urgency for ensuring that all American adults have the tools needed to become literate, thinking, contributing citizens. With the development of the Boggs Literacy Center and appointment of Dr. Corley, Loyola will join with the New Orleans community to spur active participation in mapping out strategies that make significant gains in the enhancement of literacy," added Danahar.

In accepting the position, Corley said, "I considered it an honor that Loyola has given me this unique opportunity–to build the center from the ground up by using innovative methods and involving adult learners all the way. I believe that with the backing of Loyola, the community and the Boggs Center, we can build a center that is effective and successful with the city and recognized across the nation as an exemplar."

Corley obtained a doctorate in adult and continuing education from the University of Maryland in 1990, a master’s degree in applied linguistics from Georgetown University in 1971, and a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from Brandeis University in 1967.